ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pronounce

v.
US //pɹəˈnaʊns// UK //pɹənˈaʊns// pro·nounce
  1. 1 to give an opinion (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to give a strong or expert opinion about a situation.

    to pass judgment or express an authoritative opinion on a matter.

    Example

    The critics were quick to pronounce the new play a total failure.

    Example

    It is perhaps too early for historians to pronounce on the long-term success of the treaty, given the current political instability in the region.
Origin

Recorded since c.1330 as Middle English pronouncen (“to utter, declare officially”), from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiō, itself from prō- (“forth, out, in public”) + nūntiō (“to announce”) from nūntius (“messenger”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026